Privacy Policy

This Privacy Policy describes how Ossium ("Ossium", "we", "us", or "our") collects, uses, and protects information when you use ossium.in and related services (the "Service").

1. Who we are

Ossium is a developer platform for discovering open source projects, tracking contributions, and finding opportunities such as GSoC organizations and issues. Contact: help@ossium.in. See also our About page and Contact form.

2. Information we collect

Depending on how you use the Service, we may collect:

• Account information: when you sign in (for example via GitHub OAuth), we may receive your name, email address, username, profile image, and related identity data provided by the authentication provider.
• Profile and product data: display name, bio, status, alert rules, forum posts, preferences, and similar content you submit.
• Payment-related data: if you purchase Premium, payment is processed by our payment provider. We receive subscription and billing status needed to provide Premium; we do not store full card numbers on our servers.
• Usage and device data: pages visited, approximate location derived from IP, browser type, device type, referring URLs, and diagnostic logs needed to operate and secure the Service.
• Communications: messages you send via contact forms, email, or support channels.

3. How we use information

• Provide, maintain, and improve the Service
• Authenticate users and personalize product experiences
• Process Premium subscriptions and related support
• Send service-related notices (for example alerts you configure)
• Analyze usage to improve reliability and features
• Detect abuse, enforce policies, and protect security
• Show advertising on free tiers (see Advertising below) unless you are on an ad-free Premium experience where applicable
• Comply with legal obligations

4. Cookies, local storage, and similar technologies

We and our partners use cookies, local storage, and similar technologies to:

• Keep you signed in and remember preferences
• Measure traffic and performance (for example analytics)
• Deliver and measure ads, including interest-based advertising where permitted
• Optional functional tools such as live chat, when enabled

When you first visit, a cookie banner lets you Accept all, Accept necessary, or customize categories. Necessary cookies are always enabled and cannot be turned off. Your choice is stored in local storage ( ossium:cookie-consent). You can clear site data in your browser to see the banner again. Blocking necessary cookies may affect login or other features.

5. Advertising (Google AdSense)

We may use Google AdSense and related Google advertising services to display ads on the Service. Google and its partners may use cookies or similar technologies to serve ads based on your prior visits to this site or other sites.

• Third parties, including Google, may use cookies to serve ads based on a user's prior visits to this website or other websites.
• Google's use of advertising cookies enables it and its partners to serve ads based on visits to this site and/or other sites on the Internet.
• Users may opt out of personalized advertising by visiting Google Ads Settings. Alternatively, you can opt out of some third-party vendors' use of cookies for personalized advertising at aboutads.info.

For more information, see Google's advertising policies and Google Privacy Policy.

6. Third-party services

We use trusted third parties to operate the Service. They process data only as needed to provide their services, under their own privacy policies. Categories may include:

• Authentication (for example GitHub OAuth / auth providers)
• Hosting, databases, and caching infrastructure
• Analytics (for example privacy-friendly or standard analytics)
• Email delivery and customer support tools
• Payment processors for Premium
• Advertising partners (including Google AdSense)

7. How we share information

We do not sell your personal information. We may share data with:

• Service providers who help us run Ossium
• Advertising and analytics partners as described above
• Authorities when required by law or to protect rights, safety, or security
• A successor entity if we are involved in a merger, acquisition, or asset transfer (you will be notified where required)

Content you choose to make public (for example forum posts or public profile fields) may be visible to other users and search engines.

8. Data retention

We retain personal information for as long as your account is active or as needed to provide the Service, resolve disputes, enforce agreements, and meet legal obligations. You may request deletion of your account data as described below.

9. Your choices and rights

• Update profile information in account settings where available
• Request access, correction, or deletion of personal data by emailing help@ossium.in
• Opt out of personalized ads via the links in section 5
• Control cookies in your browser

Depending on your location, you may have additional rights under applicable law (for example access, erasure, or portability). We will respond to valid requests within a reasonable time.

10. Children's privacy

The Service is not directed to children under 13 (or the minimum age required in your jurisdiction). We do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If you believe a child has provided us data, contact us and we will take appropriate steps to delete it.

11. Security

We use reasonable technical and organizational measures to protect information. No method of transmission or storage is 100% secure; please use a strong unique password for linked accounts and contact us if you suspect unauthorized access.

12. International transfers

Ossium may be hosted and processed in countries other than where you live. By using the Service, you understand that your information may be transferred to and processed in those locations subject to this policy and applicable law.

13. Changes to this policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will post the updated version on this page and revise the "Last updated" date. Continued use of the Service after changes means you accept the updated policy where permitted by law.

14. Contact us

Questions about this Privacy Policy or your data: help@ossium.in or our contact form.

Related: Terms of Service · About Ossium